This care sheet is
intended only to cover the general care of this species. Further research to
best develop a maintenance plan for whichever species you are caring for is
essential..

The
most common “Pet Shop Turtle” throughout the years has been the Red-ear slider.
It is massively farmed and millions are produced every year. While
traditionally the purchase of one of these turtles resulted in its death a few
weeks or months later, present knowledge and technology makes it an easily
maintained animal as long as a person is willing to provide some basic
requirements.

HOUSING
SLIDERS INDOORS - The
most useful form of indoor accommodation for Sliders consists of an aquarium.
For hatchlings I would suggest a water depth of 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm)
with one end built up with rocks to provide a dry basking spot. A reasonable
size aquarium for a hatchling is a 20 gallon - 30 inches by 12 inches, (75 cm
by 30 cm). As the animal grows the size of this habitat should be increased. All
Sliders are excellent swimmers so water depth is not as critical a factor as
they get older.. A depth of 10 inches up to 30 inches (20 cm to 60 cm) would be
fine for turtles between 4 inches (10 cm) and adult size. Adult size of
the Red-ear subspecies can reach 11 inches, Cumberland and Yellow-bellies
Sliders stay somewhat smaller.

Water quality is very
important. Many problems with aquatic turtles can be averted if one spends a
little time and money designing and purchasing an adequate filtration system for
your pets. For adult sliders we advise canister filters as they are easily
cleaned and provide for excellent water quality. Hatchlings are more difficult
to provide good filtration for because of the depth of the water, for these a
submersible foam filer or power filter and frequent
water changes is the rule.

In one
corner of the environment a hardware store reflector clip light lamp should be
used to provide artificial basking facilities. This should be positioned
to provide a basking spot of 90 degrees F or so (32 degrees C) in that section
of the habitat. The habitat should also be equipped with a full spectrum
fluorescent light to provide for UVB. A UVB source is necessary for Vitamin D3
syntheses (needed in calcium metabolism). If preferred to this lighting arrangement a Mercury vapor bulb may be used that fulfills
both heat and UV requirements. Live
or plastic aquatic plants are suggested to provide a sense of security and
hiding places.

OUTDOOR HOUSING - Predator proof outdoor habitats offer many advantages
over indoor accommodations and should seriously be considered as an option
during warm weather. A child’s wading pool sunk into the ground in a secure
enclosure makes for a serviceable outdoor habitat. Larger ponds with advanced
filtration can be used to provide a spectacular outdoor home for your
Slider.

DIET.
Be careful not to overfeed your Slider. I recommend only feeding 2 to 3 times a
week for adult turtles and every day or every other day for the rapidly growing
hatchlings. Sliders will consume vegetables, greens such as mustard greens,
turnip greens, dandelion, spinach, carrots, zucchini and any aquatic vegetation,
i.e. duckweed, water lettuce, water hyacinth, etc. They will also consume
insects, worms and fish. Many of the commercially prepared turtle diets that
exist on the market today are excellent Slider food.

Additional calcium supplementation is essential. Powdered calcium can be
sprinkled all foods. It is suggested
that one use calcium supplemented with vitamin D3 if the animal is being
maintained indoors and calcium without D3 if it is outdoors.
Provision of a cuttlefish bone, which can be gnawed if desired, is also
recommended.

These species
hibernate in nature. After careful research of methods used to safely do this,
hibernation facilities may be provided for the turtle.

Hatchling
T. scripta elegans

Hatchling
T. scripta elegans positioned on adult

Be aware that hatchlings
GROW

It should be noted
that turtle and tortoise care research is ongoing. As new information becomes
available we share this on the World Chelonian Trust web site at
www.chelonia.org. Serious keepers find it to be a benefit to have the
support of others who keep these species. Care is discussed in our free online
email community, which may be joined from the web address above. Please contact
us about the many benefits of becoming a member of the World Chelonian Trust.